French Press vs AeroPress vs Pour-over and More: Coffee Methods Compared 

Do you have a question on a brewing method we covered? Do you have a favorite method we didn't cover? Let us know below!

Who knew, Steve Job's younger brother is a coffee expert‽

1. Chew beans up in mouth. 2. Pour boiling water directly in mouth. 3. Steep for 4-5 minutes. 4. Drink up! No clean up and no grinder required!

I have every brewing equipment that is reviewed here. Honestly the biggest bang for buck is moving to fresh roasted whole beans and pairing it with a good coffee grinder. The brewing method will not get you good coffee if you are not using good coffee and the right grind size.

It's probably worth mentioning that a french press can make a really nice cold brew.

I've a few thoughts after spending a lot of time (2 years) in this pandemic experimenting with coffee styles, which boils down to this: 1. Best for single-cup: Aeropress ($40 one time cost + $15 annual for filters) 2. Best for single-cup if you're a nerd: Pourover (greater control than aeropress; $50 one-time cost +$15-20 annual for filters) 3. Best for multiple-cups: Drip brewer ($200 one time cost + $20-30 annual for filters) 4. Best for ultra-nerds that want to spend 1/3rd of their life and 2/3rd of their retirement savings on coffee: Espresso + grinder combo (expect to spend $1000 easily up-front, and $50 annual on cleaning and maintenance supplies along w/ upgrades). My suggested upgrades: 1. Water filter: Good coffee needs best water ($30 annual for Brita filters, filter-machine/system costs may vary) 2. (Optional) Electric kettle: Beats heating water on stove 10/10. Needed for manual coffee systems like aeropress or pourover ($50 for gooseneck, $20 for regular kettles) 2. Coffee grinder: In case you want whole beans (this is more of a personal preference; $100-$150 one-time cost)

The fact that I don't drink coffee and I'm watching this.... I have no idea why this entertains me

i use a french press and when i am done i add water to the coffee grains then pour it over my plants or my vegetables, worms also love it, very good when you have a garden forgot to mention, you need to use good quality coffee and bio if possible

You know what else a French press is good for? Making a good brew with loose leaf tea 😊

For anyone still confused, I would say that you can actually make coffee really easily with aeropress. You basically 1. screw on the filter cap (with the paper filter), 2. place the hollow thing on top of your cup, 3. put a scoop of coffee with some hot water (easy to measure, the cylinder is translucent and has markings), 5. place the piston in and 6. wait for 1.5 minutes. The cleanup is also extremely simple (just push the puck into the bin and quick-rinse the piston). The whole thing literally takes 2 minutes, start to finish (assuming you have pre-ground espresso-style coffee). Unfortunately, the nerds (or snubs) have elevated this simple system (this system was designed by a Stanford prof who loved coffee but was quite lazy to make it) into somewhat of of a "coffee brewing art". Unfortunately, its not an art, but an algorithm. Pros of aeropress: 1. Fastest (imo) 2. 8/10 coffee taste 3. consistently good results (since its a simple, reliable mechanism). For 99% of coffee drinkers looking to make a single cup, this is ideal.

This is my second Keurig Coffee Brewer. ru-vid.comUgkxBrV-RbF5Nk0Rlt9i15aao-YMzqzTG8Vf The first one lasted 6 years. It worked beautifully until the day it didn't. It was hard to go back to the drip coffee for a couple of days while I waited on my Keurig to get here. There is a huge difference in the taste. Keurig makes a really good cup of coffee. This new one is a little different from my old one. I find putting the water filter in was easier than on the old one. Attaching the water reservoir was also a little different but once I figured it out, it too was easier. This new one has the auto off feature but is not programmable like the old one. Only three cup sizes instead of four. The odd thing for me was how much lighter in weight this one is compared to my old one. More plastic and much less metal in the construction of this one. The price is so much less than the original Keurig that I bought and the coffee tastes the same so all in all I am satisfied.

Moka pot is indeed the best if you like the rich and creaminess taste of a coffee. I’m obsessed brewing with my moka pot 💕

As a beginner, this was a life saver.

This was the best coffee video I’ve seen on RU-vid! Thanks for making And sharing!

wth this needs more views asap!! most concise, complete, informative video ever.

In Cuba my grandma used to do pour over with coffee from the farm , the best

A very thorough and much appreciated presentation. Thank you

Well done Sir! A fast moving and concise overview of the various brewing methods.

About the AeroPress: You forgot to mention that it's really easy to clean, by contrast with a French press, for example, and any other paper filter method. I much appreciate the lack of mess.

Really comprehensive video! Thanks for demystifying the wild world of coffee making!

I have used a Keurig machine for years. I ordered some coffee online, but instead of sending the k cups I ordered, they sent me a bag of whole beans. I love coffee, and have wanted to try a French press, so I invested in a French press, a kettle, and a manual grinder. I enjoy the whole process of making coffee and don't think I will ever use the Keurig again.

Great overview of a lot of brew styles, nice to have a video I can pass along to people who ask me for brew method comparisons!

Simple but best coffe vid for practical advice on youtube ! Thanks man ✌

Im I ever grateful for the videos on the Wirecutter! this is great. I always love the concise way of explaining things

I love my parents' (or maybe grandparents') early-mid century electrically heated vacuum brewer. Great coffee, and fun to watch, especially for after dinner coffee around the table with a few quests.

This is a very useful video for one who struggles to understand coffee recipes. Thanks a lot!

Thank you for this video! Definitely helped me understand all these methods! I had no idea there were so many

Thanks. Just the type of video I was looking for

very well made video, the information I was looking for. thank you

I have to say this is a great video! I watched the Hoffmann OG V60 video and was immediately hooked.

Thanks for the feedback!

Very exhaustive and thorough video - thanks!

great little film , thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge

THANK YOU for this simple straightforward video! you’re awesome!

This was very cool! Thank you. I worked at a coffee shop for a while and hadn't even heard of some of these methods, like that siphon thingy. So fancy.

Great communicator. Very informative, thank you!

Thank for the overview. Great information for me ♥️♥️♥️

A Moka Pot is found in every Cuban home, along with a Canister of Bustelo or Pilon Coffee! We all grew up on that stuff!

Thank you for all this knowledge!

great overview - would love to see you do another including the methods mentioned at the end vietnamese, turkish, etc.

Great video, Michael and team!

This video is incredible, . I really enjoy your video thanks for making it

This is a great run through, probably the best “quick guide” I’ve seen for so many different brews at once. One thing I’ll add though - it is possible to make coffee for two, even three people, if you brew a concentrate with your dose of coffee in the new chamber like normal, but then dilute the concentrate up to the final amount of beverage you’re making.

Thank you for the video. Gives me better idea on what brewing method i should use

Thank you Straight forward and clear explanation

I love coffee very much! I got here when I was watching a coffee video. Thank you! With love from Japan :)

Thank you! Really informative and helpful.

great brewing method comparison...love this video

I'm a coffee nerd too and thoroughly enjoyed this video!

Great video! Thanks for uploading 😊

Very informative, thanks for posting.

I received a siphon brewer as a gift. It takes more time and effort, but it's kinda fun and the coffee tastes great.

This was super helpful. Thank you!

Wish I had seen this video before buying an espresso machine, thank you for being honest about espresso...it is expensive and complicated and I like that he was honest and straight to the point about it.

I use my AeroPress to make 2 tall cups in one shot most mornings. Wonderful device.

This was REALLY helpful! Thank you so much. I want to get rid of my Keurig because there can be mold in the plastic tubing. That’s something to look into.

perfect explanation, thank you

I loved the content...As a turkish coffee lover I have grown up with coffee smell in the house...Every culture gives a unique taste to coffee, but I love the filter coffee (pour over) especially from the beans from higher altitudes and plantations :)) Coffee has a very special history, especially the history of cappucino which has roots from the ottoman invasions in Europe, and a priest from an italian monastry called capiche (or something like that)..He introduced coffee to the europeans and mixed with honey and milk, then they liked the taste :)) And called it cappicini/ cappicino :)

Thanks for the great overview.

I have a beautiful 1970s Sunbeam percolator that still works like a charm. The coffee from it is lovely no matter what kind of coffee I use. It’s the perfect friends over in the afternoon type coffee! Great video and very informative!

Thanks for the info. Just a heads up the AeroPress can do up to four servings at a time and is very easy to clean.

AeroPress is the best gadget I've ever received as a present. It opened up a whole world of how different coffee flavours there are, never boil the water just around 80 degrees, stir for 10 seconds and press gently. No bitterness or burned flavour just really tasty coffee..

I drink coffee only occasionally, so not exactly an afficionado but I love my french press. It's easy, doesn't need much space and is environmentally friendly.

Very helpful. Thank you very much!

Great video thanks

Thank you

I’ve been using the pour over method for almost 10 years. My old co worker taught me how to use it. But I use a regular kettle and use a spoon to mix the coffee while pouring water over the coffee

Thanks for this!

Great video. Very informative.

Thanks for some of the good info, but I beg to differ on your aeropress comments. 1.) I have used all of what you've showcased, and the aeropress is by far the easiest to use (in my experience)... from storage, preparations to brewing and cleaning. Pour overs are easy too, but takes more time... 2.) You can DEFINITELY MAKE coffee for multiple people, just add more grinds to increase intensity. Press on a large container, then just add water to match your taste preference. Watch Mr. Adler's videos for tips on that. 3.) You can actually adjust intensity by playing around with the amount of coffee you put... For a fuller bodied brew, use a metal filter instead of the paper one. What it cannot make is an authentic espresso. Appreciate your video. Kudos to your channel. ✌️

Awesome review. Thanks

7:04 If you do use a regular method, sure, it does only make one cup. But the inventor himself recommends the Bypass method, which is basically brewing an espresso like drink and diluting it - and it can be scaled up to 60 grams of coffee, basically a whole pot of coffee. Not to mention, they now make the XL version.

I was a barista a while ago, and only bought a few coffee equipments and this was so refreshing to watch! Love it!

Amazing video Mr. Michael Hession.

This is what I want to know. Appreciate!!

I bought a $50 siphon brewer on Amazon. The lower pot has its own integral AC powered heating element. I expected the novelty to quickly wear off, but one month later I am still using it each morning. It takes maybe 12 minutes to brew 15 oz, and cleaning takes a couple of minutes. But there is no more thorough full immersion method, thanks to the natural circulation, with no need to stir. I liked it well enough to spend another $20 on a permanent filter to replace the cloth filter.

Awesome video. On point

I really appreciate how you pronounced every single Italian word correctly. Macchiato in particular is pretty tough! Other than that, great overview!

This is great!! Thank you!

Tried many of these methods, but my favorite coffee is from a percolator.

Adding in who these methods are good for was very helpful. For example, I am a beginner (have only used an auto drip) and was deciding between pour over or french press and this video helped me decide to try the pour over method since I prefer a slightly lighter coffee and hate particles in my coffee. I also will be going camping a lot next summer so will be trying out the moka pot. Thanks!

I just added It's American Press to my coffee shelf. Makes a great cup of coffee. Aeropress is my preferred device.

I had the idea to put coffee in a tea bag for my backpack hunts. Just add hot water and a tea bag to my Nalgene bottle. Worked great, will be my go to method.

We use a Kinto Slow Coffee pour over coffee maker. Steel filter, no paper. It took some practice but now make great coffee, much better than we ever made with our Bodum French press.

I have used the Chemex system for years and it makes great coffee. As for cleaning, you remove the wooden heat shield and put it in the dishwasher, bam, you're clean and done. A real no brainer

I regularly use my Bonavita immersion dripper(similar to Cleverdripper) to make larger batches of coffee. Just use it like a pour-over brewer after the steeping time. Put in a calculated amount of grounds in the filter. When the time comes to let the coffee drip through, add a calculated amount of water to meet your desired ratio. This method works well up to about 750 - 800 grams of water. Beyond that you might have trouble with the filter clogging. Experiment, that the fun part of an immersion dripper and the aeropress.

Nice to see the Clever get a mention - it's really dead simple. Draw down issues can be avoided by adding the water FIRST to the vessel then add the coffee - this lets the coffee swell before it contacts the paper - preventing clogs - I have every device (except espresso) you showed in this video the ones I go to most are Clever and Aeropress - I was HUGE fan of vacuum pot brewing but somehow got away from that - basically all immersion brewing is great (exclusive of french press for reasons you mentioned). Percolation 2nd. Clever/Aeropress combine best of both worlds (in different ways).

This is great!

After working with a Chemex (broke several of them), and an Aeropress (after 7 years, the insides crazed), I'm back the the grandma of pour overs, the Melitta. The cone is low cost, the filters are cheap and available everywhere, and if you use modern pour over technique (and a scale), it makes excellent light roast. In the summer heat, I'm using ti to make Japanese style ice coffee.

I don't use my coffee siphon very much but I like to leave it out on my counter... it's a chromed steel art deco like thing from the 50s that I got for $20 at a second hand store. The thermostat that's supposed to flip it from boil over to keep warm doesn't do that automatically anymore, but you can flip it over manually so I can still make a pot if I want to show off.

Got into using a Chemex during Covid, love it ☕️

I've just discovered a Neapolitan Coffee maker in a box of stuff that I inherited from an old Italian relative. The design is truly unique and the brewing method has a surprising quirk. It's a synthesis of the Moka Pot design and the Method of a Pour-Over...with a twist. The result can best be described as just above a full-bodied brew coffee and just a notch below the espresso-like richness produced by a Moka Pot. The process is contemplative and the effort gratifying. It's a Moka Pot with Sprezzatura.

Cool video,thanks

Well explained..

I use Aeropress and French Press. French press on days where I hebe more time. Also started using Fellow Prismo on Aeropress for an espresso like experience. It's not too bad.

Coffee lover here. I'm ready to learn 😍

I got an Aeropress for use in my office at work. I already have a kettle, and the press is easy to use, so it was kind of a no brainer aside from French Press. At home I used to have a coffee maker, but living alone, finding a good 5-cup coffee maker just wasn't working out. I ended up with a Keurig, but with a K-Cup where I can use my own grinds.

I do enjoy syphon coffee. I also have machine version of it. But my favorite is pourover. It is like a morning ritual.

Very good video !

I love the pour over it so simple and there’s no waste one you get the ratio right It’s super easy I’m probably not doing it perfectly correctly but I end up with a consistently taste a cuppa coffee in the morning of course it all depends on what coffee I’m using to know matter what method you use you have to start with good coffee otherwise you’re never gonna have a good cup